Calls for public inquiry into ghost estate in County Limerick town

CALLS have been made for a public inquiry to be established to examine the long-running saga of a ghost estate in Rathkeale, which is set to cost the local authority millions of euro.

Ballywilliam Close estate, which has been derelict for more than a decade, has been the subject of regeneration efforts in recent years but remains vacant.

It comprises 33 homes - none of which have ever been occupied. A mediation process is currently underway involving legal representatives of Limerick City and County Council and individual property owners.

At their September meeting, elected representatives of the Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District repeated their long-running concerns over the lack of progress in resolving the matter. “It’s mind-boggling, it’s very frustrating for us as councillors,” said Cllr Stephen Keary, while Cllr Adam Teskey described the estate as a “complete eyesore,” that has been a problem for nearly 25 years.

While noting the concerns of councillors, Jayne Leahy, head of property management with the local authority, said she was limited in what she could say publicly but assured them that progress is being made.

“Barristers are working very hard in the background, it’s an extremely difficult case but we are ploughing through it,” she said adding: “We are well-advanced with the mediation process.”

Cllr Keary expressed concerns about the costs involved saying there is an onus on the council to get value for money. “I’m concerned we are paying good money after bad,” he said, adding he believes a public inquiry may be warranted.

In 2020, Limerick City and County Council initiated the process to compulsorily acquire the estate and in May 2021, the application was approved by An Bord Pleanála, despite opposition from the property owners.

During the CPO process, council officials said they had received a large number of complaints about the development and the negative media attention was also highlighted.

A planning inspector with An Bord Pleanála noted some of the houses were “neglected, unsightly and objectionable” while others were in a “ruinous and dangerous state”.

Recommending that the CPO be approved, she said the acquisition of the site by the council was necessary to render it non-derelict.

While Limerick City and County Council has undertaken some measures to secure the site and to address Japanese knotweed, no substantial works have been carried out and no future plans have been confirmed.

“The best thing to do is to level it and clean it out. Sell it to a decent developer for €1,” said Cllr Keary at the September meeting.